Carroll Says Time Will Solve Problems

USC returned from Maryland on Sunday relieved to have a tension-filled season-opening victory over Virginia Tech safely behind.

The top-ranked Trojans do not play again until Sept. 11, when Colorado State visits the Coliseum. That gives Coach Pete Carroll and his staff nearly two weeks to fix and adjust areas that proved problematic in a 24-13 win against the upset-minded Hokies.

Carroll is confident the Trojans will shore up their weaknesses, but he does not expect quick solutions.

“I really believe it’s going to take us a few weeks, a couple of games,” he said Sunday. “We’ll find out which players make the fewest errors.”

Just as they were before the game against unranked Virginia Tech, USC’s receiving corps and offensive line remain concerns.

Quarterback Matt Leinart connected with running back Reggie Bush for three touchdown pass plays that covered 29 yards or longer, but he struggled at times because receivers making their first starts or playing in their first games did not run routes correctly.

“We have a lot of work to do there,” Carroll said.

Sophomore flanker Steve Smith had four receptions for 68 yards, 46 coming on a play that set up Bush’s third touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Chris McFoy and freshman Dwayne Jarrett each caught two passes and totaled 11 and eight yards, respectively. Tight end Alex Holmes -- playing for the first time since the 2003 Orange Bowl -- also caught two passes for 12 yards.

Sophomore guard Fred Matua said after the game that the offensive line was “expecting to dominate.” But with three linemen starting for the first time -- including tackles Taitusi Lutui and Sam Baker -- the offense was often on the defensive.

Leinart was sacked twice and was under pressure for much of the game.

“It wasn’t as good as we had hoped,” Carroll said of the offensive line. “There was too much penetration in both the passing and the running game at times.”

Sophomore tailback LenDale White started fast, but carried the ball only five times in the second half and finished with 78 yards in 15 carries.

“I wish we had gotten him the ball a little more,” Carroll said.

Carroll said he was pleased with the play of several young players, especially defensive linemen Lawrence Jackson and Jeff Schweiger and cornerback Eric Wright.

Freshman Keith Rivers played on special teams, but Carroll said he was not part of the linebacker rotation because the Trojans were trying to make so many first-half adjustments to counter Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall.

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Junior running back Hershel Dennis remains suspended indefinitely, Carroll said. Dennis was suspended 10 days before the opener for violating team rules. According to law enforcement sources, he is a focus of a sexual assault investigation that may involve one or more members of the team.